I woke up yesterday well rested and excited. I knew it felt warm even at 7am, and I was a little worried about that, but knew there was nothing I could do about it. Now that I've had a chance to look at my splits, I think I see what the problem was. I was not nearly as conservative as I should have been for the first 6 miles. I also felt really good in miles 15/16, and ran a fast split...and paid the price dearly. I guess that's why I am so upset...if I had been smarter and listened more closely to the advice given me, I would have my BQ.

8:27, 8:24, 8:22, 8:25, 8:14, 8:33, 8:33, 8:34, 9:10, 8:50, 8:32,8:16, 8:54, 8:41, 8:37, 7:52, 8:14, 8:51, 8:46, 11:05 (ouch), 9:06, 9:27, 10:04, 9:46, 9:24, 8:58, don't have the .2, forgot to stop my watch.

My calf twinged at mile 2, and again for a bit after the big hills. It didn't "hurt" until after that walk break in mile 20, but it did go away. The other problem I had was that as soon as I drank any liquid, I was immediately thirsty again. I had liquid at every stop as well as extras that CeCelia had in the car.

Of course there are bright spots. I had four goals, and I got three of them. (Finish, sub 4 hours, PR, and BQ) My PR is just over 7 minutes, I think. It was incredible to have my family out there, and CeCelia ran the last 7 miles with me even though I was incredibly crabby. I got to meet that handsome fella Jason, and Michele was wonderful for the last two miles. I got to see the Eden crew at the end....thank you for letting me cry on your shoulders. And lastly....my son Andrew and his best friend Jenny came all that way in the early morning just to surprise me at the finish. Given all that happened recently, I can't tell you what that means. And...we saw moose!!! :)

Congratulations on all the great 15-k and marathon performances! I'm not listing names for fear of forgetting someone.

I decided I will not be going back to the Loaf. It is pretty and well organized, but it is not the race for me. I'm setting my sights on a few other races. :)

49:41

PM: 1500 yd swim

1h 30 min bike this morning and 6 mile run at lunch. GI issues made this run a really hard one especially as I was determined to get my 6 miles in. Why? Cause finding the time to get all my tri workouts done within the week and still be there for my family is quite an art.

45 on the arc at a new resistance level and 3 miles on the treadmill w/Michele at lunch.

pigfarm road. With Scott F. Great job Suzanne, you have come a long way. Be proud of yourself.

that is 24 fewer miles than yesterday.

It hurt to stay inside today, but the old legs wanted a break. But I still wanted a workout.

My 15k time equates to a 2:53 marathon according to McMillan. On an equivalent course in equivalent conditions anyway. So if VCM has cool, dry weather, wind that swirls so it's at my back almost the entire way, and a course that somehow becomes more downhill during the next 2 weeks, I'm going for it!

I am pleased to announce that I have finished my very first marathon!

It was tough. I felt great up until about mile 15... I was strong and confident, and Jim was my most excellent on course support all the way through that kept me stocked with water, gu, and encouragement. The last 10 miles were grueling, and I was unprepared for how emotionally taxing a first marathon can be. At mile 15, my stomach started acting up, I was lucky to make it to the porta potty at the 15k start. My toe hit a chunk of tore up pavement at 19.5, and I took a digger. I wasn't really hurt though, just rattled, and got myself up and resumed running. Jason showed up with Michele at about mile 21, and that was a godsend. I was overwhelmed with emotion when she showed up, and having her with me 'til the end of the race was fantastic. The last 5mi were all about breathing... I kept getting my breath caught in my throat,and Michele would talk me through getting my breathing back under control.

When I saw the finish line in view, my strength came back, and Suzanne and Judy joined in at the last bit and encouraged me to the end. It was great to have so much Eden support there at the finish line. Michele, Judy, Suzanne, Mark, Jean and Don, the Bachoricks, Tim T, Jason, and others that I know I'm probably forgetting. People I had met on the course came up and congratulated me at the end as well. It was an amazing experience. I got nowhere near the time what I was hoping for, but my #1 goal was to finish, and to finish with pride, and I did that. I'll be back next year.